Korean J Anesthesiol.  2005 Nov;49(5):702-704. 10.4097/kjae.2005.49.5.702.

Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy following General Anesthesia: A case report

• Kim KJ
• Park JW
• Baek CW
• Jung YH
• Koo GH

• KMID: 1936831
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2005.49.5.702

Abstract

The hypoglossal nerve is a motor supply of the tongue. Hypoglossal nerve palsy after general anesthesia is rare but there have been several reports showing an association with oropharyngeal manipulation such as intubation, bronchoscopy, and laryngeal mask airway. The main mechanism considered has been a temporary compression of the nerve along its superficial course at the lateral root of the tongue during oropharyngeal manipulation. We encountered a patient who complained speaking and swallowing difficulties after general surgery. A deviation to the affected side, atrophy, and fasciculation of tongue were observed. Almost all palsies recovered spontaneously. We present a patient with a transient unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy after an uncomplicated intubation and anesthesia for surgery for humerus fracture in the beach-chair position.

Keyword

complication; hypoglossal nerve palsy; intubation

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General*
Atrophy
Bronchoscopy
Deglutition
Fasciculation
Humans
Humerus
Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases*
Hypoglossal Nerve*
Intubation
Laryngeal Masks
Paralysis
Tongue